Trouble At The Top

Is the NASCAR Sprint-Nextel Cup sponsorship in trouble? I seem to remember a North Carolina-based tobacco company that pumped hundreds of millions of dollars into NASCAR.
Think they would come back if this deal goes away? Probably not. You can’t seem to see where they ever existed in NASCAR, banished to obscurity, sort of like the old NASCAR fan.
Remember the old saying: “Don’t forget the people who helped you on the way up. You may need them on the way back.”
Have you looked at the grandstands lately?
Gary Gore
Warrenton, Va.

Royal Conspiracy?

With rumors flying for the past year of favoritism for the teams that stayed with the World of Outlaws during the split, the mess that took place at Eldora Speedway during the Kings Royal this year makes one think the rumors might be true.
For those who don’t know, the No. 15 car (Donny Schatz) got a third lap of qualifying for what was described as interference during his second lap. He timed in at 20th place on the first lap and 24th on the second.
As a fan in the stands, I saw no cars on the track or anything else. No reasonable excuse was given by officials as to why this was allowed. Several race teams were very upset and even packed up to leave. It makes one wonder how much the last two championships were earned.
Mike Kinzler
Joliet, Ill.

Praising Eldora’s Crew

I have written two letters critical of the track preparation and excessive dust at Eldora last year and at the beginning of this year.
I was at both nights of the Kings Royal and feel it is only fair to acknowledge the extra effort put in by the track-prep people last weekend. During both nights, they used a scissor plow to break up the track during the program and watered several times.
The dust was back to normal, pre-Larry Kemp, and you could see the cars. The extra prep didn’t take all that long and was much appreciated by the fans and drivers alike. Friday night included 360 sprints, which are always good. Saturday/Sunday night was only the Kings Royal WoO, which was great. That’s what everyone came to see, not Eldora stocks or modifieds. We were on our way home before 10 p.m.
Great job. Thanks, Tony.
Fred Gable
Indianapolis, Ind

Down On Hmiel

After reading recent articles regarding Shane Hmiel’s return to racing, I must say that I am sickened. While I certainly applaud Hmiel for attempting to get his life back on track, at the same time I have to say that it certainly makes it easier to do so when mom and dad are footing the bill or at least paving the way through their contacts in the racing industry.
At the same time, there are many talented drivers out there who are trying to make things happen the old-fashioned way — through hard work, day after day, race after race.
And they do not have the advantage of mom and dad manipulating rides for them.
Furthermore, they have managed to keep themselves clean from drug and alcohol abuse. To think that a driver would climb behind the wheel of a race car while under the influence of drugs or alcohol and jeopardize the safety of other drivers on the track is unfathomable.
As followers of a USAC racing venue, both my husband and I find it difficult to garner any fan support for Shane Hmiel, considering the conditions under which his ride was obtained.
We applaud NASCAR for taking a firm stance on drug testing and suspensions. To do anything less would destroy the integrity and character of the sport.
Vickie Kibble
Lafayette, Ga.

Pro And Con

I just read Dave Argabright’s article about him and his son going to the local races over July 4 weekend. They loved it! As usual, a great story and a real race fan’s perspective — great reading!
Then, I read Gary London’s every issue, standard anti-everything gripe column. If he dislikes so many things about auto racing, maybe he should quit complaining to us race fans and do something else. Argabright is from Indiana. London acts like he’s from New York.
Bill Wendt
Cape Coral, Fla.

London On Target

The most recent column by Gary London was right on target. Most fans are sick and tired of hearing the never-ending babble of commercial sponsor endorsements coming from the mouths of drivers during an interview. While commercial-sponsorship is an important part of auto racing, there is a limit.
We, as fans, can’t help but notice just about every square inch of bodywork is covered with some decal advertising everything from motor oil to liquor.
We know who pays the bills; we just don’t believe everything you spew out during the interview about how you just couldn’t have won the race without this energy drink or that certain brand of aftershave.
Yeah, right.
And, as London points out, NHRA Funny Car driver Cruz Pedregon crossed the line when he saw it so very critical to get two plugs in for his primary sponsor when discussing the unfortunate passing of Scott Kalitta. It was a total lack of class on Cruz Pedregon’s part. Like Gary, I will make it a point to avoid that auto-supply store.
Gary London continues to tell it like it is. At the very least, Pedregon should make an apology, if he is fact capable of writing a sentence without mentioning his sponsor. Probably not.

Mark Hazen

Euclid, Ohio

Remembering Paragon

As always, I enjoyed Dave Argabright’s column about Paragon Speedway and also the letter from Danny Hartley. I would also add Alan Barr to his list of sprint-car drivers.
I’m glad to hear that Paragon survived the flooding.
I was puzzled about one thing in Dave’s column. He stated, “It’s been a Saturday-night tradition for more than 50 years.”
My son and I went to our first sprint-car race at Paragon sometime in the mid-1960s. I distinctly remember sitting out on the boards over the stumps in the hot sun on several Saturday afternoons. I don’t recall any night racing until later.
Now, it’s possible that they had night racing then, but we preferred the sunshine — as I still do.
Did they have lights then?
Bruce A. Hiles
Egg Harbor City, N.J.

A Sour Note

Oh, yes, Mr. Economaki, my friends and I cringe sometimes at the way the national anthem is sung.
Does anybody know who determines the singer/performer of the national anthem? Somebody suggested a school choir or something of that sort. Sounds good to me.
Allow us to be proud of the singing of the national anthem, not nauseated.
Also, Dave Argabright, I love your articles. Keep up the good work.
R.A. Hines
Wapakoneta, Ohio

Sorenson, Ganassi Gaining

Local Sprint Cup driver Reed Sorenson is showing some improvement lately. I wonder if the shuffling of crew chiefs has helped? Juan Pablo Montoya on the same team is showing improvement as well.
If they start finishing up front or have a win, Chip Ganassi will be praised. If not, he’ll be the goat.
We lost a good one on June 24: Hugh W. Lewis was a past Hampton, Ga., (home of Atlanta Motor Speedway) city councilman and mayor. He was helpful in getting the proper roads and freeways in place to help in handling the speedway traffic. I’ve heard of many of the things he and Ed Clark accomplished in that area.
Mike Rudderham
Griffin, Ga.